In this review, we will be comparing RP-1400CSW and PULSE SUB+, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch and Bluesound. Being Powered subwoofers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them. Let's have a brief look at the main features of Klipsch RP-1400CSW and Bluesound PULSE SUB+ first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
The sections below take each area in turn: driver and amplifier, frequency response, physical size and connectivity.
Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Both Klipsch RP-1400CSWand Bluesound PULSE SUB+ have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch RP-1400CSW's woofer is 14-inch whereas the Bluesound PULSE SUB+ features a 8-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
RP-1400CSW has a frequency range of 15-180 Hz whereas PULSE SUB+ has a frequency range of 22-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 15Hz, the RP-1400CSW can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the PULSE SUB+'s min frequency of 22Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Subwoofer class in our database.
Low Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Klipsch RP-1400CSW's and Bluesound PULSE SUB+'s external dimensions. Klipsch RP-1400CSW has external dimensions of 444.0 x 421.6 x 421.6mm (17.48inch x 16.6inch x 16.6inch) whereas Bluesound PULSE SUB+ has external dimensions of 300 x 457 x 146 mm ().
Bluesound PULSE SUB+ is 144mm shorter and 275.6mm less deeper than Klipsch RP-1400CSW but it is also 35.4mm wider.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Klipsch RP-1400CSW needs about 166% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch RP-1400CSW is 276mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Klipsch RP-1400CSW is 144mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Klipsch RP-1400CSW is approximately 1777.5cm2 / 275.5inch2 and base area of the Bluesound PULSE SUB+ is approximately 667.2cm2 / 103.4inch2. The RP-1400CSW requires 166% more surface area than the PULSE SUB+ which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a subwoofer may become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often to find the optimal positioning, also known as 'Subwoofer Crawling'. The Klipsch RP-1400CSW weighs 27.08kg / 59.6lbs and the Bluesound PULSE SUB+ weighs 8.28kg / 18.2lbs. This makes the RP-1400CSW 227% heavier than the PULSE SUB+.
Here is a comparison of how RP-1400CSW and PULSE SUB+'s weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Woofer Size |
14 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
15 Hz
vs
22 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
180 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
1100USD
vs
1149USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 App-Based Control |
BluOS Controller (iOS, Android)
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
300mm
vs
444mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
667cm2
vs
1777cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Ethernet Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
High quality streaming over Ethernet |
Size, drawn to scale
Both subwoofers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same floor and pushed back to the same wall, so the bigger one visibly takes more of the room.
Klipsch RP-1400CSW needs about 166% more floor area. Klipsch RP-1400CSW stands 276mm further into the room. Klipsch RP-1400CSW is 144mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1400CSW |
Bluesound PULSE SUB+ |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Bluesound |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
15-180 Hz |
22-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
500-watt RMS |
150-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
1000-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
14" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Polypropylene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
444.0mm (17.5") |
300.0mm (11.8") |
| Width |
421.6mm (16.6") |
457.0mm (18") |
| Depth |
421.6mm (16.6") |
146.0mm (5.7") |
| Weight |
27.08kg (59.6lbs) |
8.28kg (18.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
|
| Finish |
MDF with Vinyl |
Matte |
| Available Colors |
Ebony |
Black, White |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| USB Port |
n/a |
Type A (upgrade only), Type B mini (service) |
| Ethernet Port |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
|
| Labor Warranty |
|
|
Two quite different sizes of subwoofer. Room volume decides this more than anything else on the page: a big driver in a small room is wasted, and a small one in a large room is worked to death.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Klipsch RP-1400CSW goes deeper - 15Hz against 22Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | A | Klipsch RP-1400CSW has the bigger amplifier - 500W against 150W RMS, about 5.2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | Klipsch RP-1400CSW moves more air: 14" against 8" is 3.06x the cone area, not the 1.75x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Bluesound PULSE SUB+ is about 75% smaller by volume. In a subwoofer that is a real trade rather than a preference: box volume is how you get output low down without a bigger amplifier. |
| Price | evenly matched | Priced within a few per cent of each other. |
A Klipsch RP-1400CSW B Bluesound PULSE SUB+
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both subwoofers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Klipsch RP-1400CSW has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Bluesound PULSE SUB+ is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
One thing outweighs everything above: where the subwoofer stands. Room modes can add or remove 10dB or more at a given seat, which is far larger than any difference on this page. Before spending more, try the sub in two or three positions - the crawl test, where you put it in the listening seat and crawl the room to find where the bass sounds best, costs nothing and usually beats an upgrade.